Thread cutter for silk winding and spinning machines



July 20, 1926.

F. ROBINSON THREAD CUTTER FOR SILK WINDING AND SPINNING MACHINES Filed Dec. 8, 1925 CTHOM Patented July 20, 1925.

FRANK ROBINSON, OF KINCAID, ILLINOIS.

THREAD CUTTER FOR SILK Wl'NDING AND SPINNING MACHINES.

Application filed. December 8, 1925.

This invention relates to improvements in thread spinning machines, especially the types of machines used in silk factories.

More specifically, the invention has reference to a thread cutting attachment constructed to cooperate with a feed shaft in a machine of this kind in order to prevent accumulation of threads on said shaft.

Machines of the class referred to are made up of a multiplicity of units, each one of which includes a single operating or drive shaft which is continuously revolving. (in one end of this shaft is a driving gear which, under normal operating conditions is in mesh with two small pinions carried by thread feeding rollers. In machines of this kind it frequently happens that the end of a broken thread will be caught, in the gear on the main shaft and drawn, upon revolution of the shaft, into the intermeshing gears. Frequently, the thread accumulates in the gearing to such an extent that it interferes with operation and sometimes stops the entire unit from further operation.

As the operator depends upon automatic mechanism to advise her of a broken thread through the stopping of the particular unit, the condition just described may not stop the unit to an extent to permit it to be noticed by the operator, and notwithstanding the defective operation, the operator would not know the condition until attention was at tracted by winding of the broken thread end onto the operating shaft.

This condition is responsible for a loss of an immense quantity of material, as the thread wound upon the shaft must'be out thereon, and the defective thread on the bobbin removed. Where the thread is silk, costing as much as ten to fifteen dollars per pound, and the daily wast-age is ofen' as much as three pounds, the expense brought about by this undesirable cause runs into large figures in the course of a years work. This is naturally true because on the 5 B silk factory machines used in most large silk factories, there are as many as forty of such units on each side of the machine. Obviously, then, the aggregate wastage of thread from the cause specified is an item requiring attention.

Not only is there waste of thread from the cause specified, but it frequently happens that the end of a broken thread beneath the operating shaft will be brought into conconstruction,

Serial No. 74,058.

tactwith the shaft by suction or otherwise and this will result in the thread winding oil the shaft. This condition is sometimes referred to as roller lap, and results in a loss in a large quantity of material.

hat I aim to do, is to incorporate in each unit, a means for severing the thread in the event that it accumulates either on the drive shaft or in the gearing, thus permitting the signalling mechanism to operate and to notify the operator that the unit is operating defectively.

My primary object is to provide a means which will accomplish this end in a positive and effective manner and which is simple in exceedingly inexpensive to manufacture and apply, andsuch that its presence will not interfere with the ordinarv operation of the parts with which it is as sociated.

Other advantages, objects and features will become apparent from the following description and drawing. I i

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same Figure l is a fragmentary top plan view of a part of one of the units hereinbefore referred to.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section through said part with portions broken away and shown in section.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the drive shaft and gear, and

Fig. at is a perspective View of one of the cutting blades carried by the gear.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the

reference character 1 designates the main drive shaft of one of the units of a conventional silk machine, and 2 indicates the gear which is rigidly fastened thereto to rotate therewith. Although this gear may be constructed otherwise, it is preferably of the sectional formation shown more plainly in Fig. 3. This facilitates application and removal. In addition, the gear is formed with a hub 8 on its inner side and in the present instance this hub is provided at diametrically opposite points with slots in which cutting blades 4 are removably fitted. The cutting blade is shown in Fig. 4. It is preferably provided with an extension 5 which projects into an opening formed in the inner face of the main gear 2.

Attention is also directed to the fact that a set screw 6 is employed for firmly holding the gear and hub on the shaft. Disposed beneath the shaft is the customary plate-like part 7 which has its outer end fashioned to provide a shield or guard 8. This guard is so fashioned as to accommodate a thread cutter plate 9. This cutter plate is adjustably fastened in place by retaining screws or the like 10. For distinguishing the cutters, the blades l; are broadly designated as the relatively movable cutting means, and the plate 9 is to be known as the relatively stationary cutter. The latter, as before indicated is capable of adjustment so that the space between the cutting edges of the blades 4 and the plate 9 may be finely graduated.

It is plain to those skilled in the 111 t which the invention relates that in case a thread winds on the shaft 1 and eventually wraps itself about the hub it will be promptly cut when it is drawn, by the rotation of the hub, between one of the cutting blades 4 and the stationary cutting plates 9. Thus, an automatic severing device is provided to reduce wastage of thread such as would otherwise occur if there were no similar device present on the unit.

Bv considering the description in connec- U011 with the drawings, persons familiar with devices of this kind will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the same.

Therefore a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

lVhile the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described my invention, what ll claim as new is i. In combination, a drive shaft, a gear carried by said drive shaft, and relatively movable and stationary cutters in association therewith for severing a thread brought between said cutters.

gear fixedly mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith. a hub carried by said gear, a cutter carried by said hub. and a relatively stationary cutter associated with said first named cutter for cooperation therewith in severing a thread. i

S. In combination, a rotary drive shaft, a gear carried by said shaft, a hub carried by said gear, diametrically opposite cutting blades carried by said hub, a plate disposed z. in combination, a rotary drive shaft, a

beneath said shaft, a shield formed at one end of said plate and associated with said gear, and a relatively stationary adjustably mounted cutter carried by the plate and cooperative ith said first named cutter.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

FRANK ROBINSON. 

